UNIONDALE, N.Y. – The status of defenseman Brian Dumoulin remained up in the air as the Pittsburgh Penguins prepared for Wednesday night’s playoff opener against the New York Islanders.
Dumoulin did not participate in an optional morning skate Wednesday and coach Mike Sullivan said his status would be a game-time decision.
Dumoulin missed the last three games of the regular season with a lower-body injury. He participated in practice Monday and Tuesday in Cranberry, but he skated on a fourth defense pair with Zach Trotman rather than in his customary spot on the top pair with Kris Letang.
The fact that Dumoulin did not take morning skate does not indicate he won’t play Wednesday night. Dumoulin often decides not to participate when skates are optional.
If Dumoulin does play, the top candidates to be scratched to make room are Olli Maatta, Marcus Pettersson and perhaps Jack Johnson or Erik Gudbranson. Maatta, Letang and Justin Schultz also opted not to skate Wednesday morning.
Zach Aston-Reese, who has been out since March 10 with a lower-body injury, took the morning skate. He has been rotating in with the fourth line during practice this week. His status is also a game-time decision, Sullivan said.
Matt Murray will start in goal for the Penguins. Robin Lehner is scheduled to get the nod for the Islanders.
